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Ed.S. Degree with a Major in Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education

About

The Ed.S. in Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education is a rigorous academic program of 27 semester hours of fully online course work. Graduates of the program who meet all criteria may be eligible for upgrade to T-6 certification in the state of Georgia or reciprocal states.

The VSYOU Difference

This specialist program offers candidates the opportunity to continue to develop their knowledge and skills through advanced and more specialized content designed specifically to address excellence in coaching and educate practicing teachers through the medium of coaching studies. Course objectives and requirements coincide with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education National Standards for Sport Coaches.

What You'll Learn

Program candidates will develop a coaching philosophy that centers on ethical conduct and behavior while focusing on the safety and well-being of the athlete.

They will develop the ability to recognize inherent risks of unsafe equipment, facilities, and conditions during high risk activities.

Finally, candidates develop a capstone project on a topic that is unique to the needs of the sports program being coached by the candidate and determine the relevance of the study through a statistical analysis of the results.

Admissions Requirements

Required Documents

Admission Requirements

One Official Transcript from each institution where you have previously enrolled (undergraduate and graduate).

(Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School

Must hold a minimum of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Minimum graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 Scale. GPA will be calculated on all attempted graduate coursework in which a letter grade was awarded.

Minimum GPA requirements may be met by other admission requirements (see below).

Must hold a valid level four or higher teaching certificate in health, physical education, or both in Georgia or a reciprocal state. Note: only qualified candidates with appropriate level four or five certificates in Georgia (or comparable and reciprocal certifications from other states) may be eligible for the level six certification following the completion of degree requirements.

Note: MAT or GRE scores are not required for admission into this program unless needed as an "other requirement for admission" (see below).

This applied graduate program requires applicants to be directly involved in coaching an athletic sport and have access to student-athletes for observational analysis purposes. (The specific coaching setting and nature of the coaching experience have to be approved by the graduate coordinator.)

Recommendations from professionals familiar with your professional and/or academic background.

500 Word Writing Sample

A typed writing sample (400-500 words) describing your interest in the program and post-degree plans. The written statement must demonstrate the ability to organize and articulate thoughts, writing skills including grammar and punctuation, and the ability to set goals consistent with the outcomes of the degree program.

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to ensure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

Important Program Information

The EDS in Coaching Pedagogy admits for summer semesters.

Since this is a fully online program, candidates must:

Have access to a reliable computer with Internet access.

Must possess and have working knowledge of software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and Flash Player.

Must have access to video recording equipment and general working knowledge of how to upload and/or burn media to computers.

International Applicants

The Ed.S. in Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education is a fully online program. Federal homeland security guidelines state that student visas cannot be issued for online programs.

Prospective students whose first language is not English and those who completed coursework or degrees outside the U.S., please review the information below for specific information and guidelines.

Please note: To meet minimum eligibility requirements for this program applicants must hold a clear/renewable teaching certificate (T-5 or higher) in the state of Georgia or an equivalent certificate in another state.

Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework. This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc. The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

Admissions Classifications

Students will only be admitted as ‘Regular’ status students.

Probationary status is not available for Ed.S. programs at Valdosta State University.

Requests for Irregular admission will not be considered for Ed.S. programs at Valdosta State University.

Applicant Resources

Graduation Requirements

A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a “C” will be credited toward the degree.

Students must submit an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date.

Students will complete the College of Education and Human Services Advanced Teacher Self-Assessment Instrument.

Students will complete an advanced portfolio.

Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission

The maximum time allowed for completion of the master’s degree is seven calendar years. No work completed more than seven years prior to degree completion will be accepted toward the degree, except with special permission from the student’s major profession, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, and approval from the Dean of the Graduate School.

No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a College of Education and Human Services graduate program. Transfer credit will be evaluation after admission by the academic department.

Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: Students admitted Fall 2011 and thereafter will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of “C” (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points. Candidates admitted BEFORE Fall 2011 and receiving two grades below “C” (“D”, “F”, “WF”,“U”) will be dismissed from the program. One grade below a "C" results in a warning.

If dismissed from the program a student must not be enrolled for two semesters. Application for readmission may be initiated during the second semester. Readmission is not guaranteed, and prior academic performance and student conduct/disposition in the program will be considered. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission.

Candidates (regardless of status) who have been admitted to the M.Ed. degree program in health and physical education at VSU who take coursework outside this M.Ed. program may not apply that coursework toward the M.Ed. degree in health and physical education.